On the morning of February 3 (Vietnam time), Messi played about 77 minutes on the pitch, but showed his class with 3 assists for his teammates to score, helping Inter Miami beat Sporting San Miguelito Club with a score of 3-1 in Panama.

This is Inter Miami’s first regular-time win in the preseason, after two victories over Club América and Universitario on penalties. Messi continues to leave his mark with high-class performances and is slowly reaching his best form ahead of the 2025 season.

Coach Mascherano has arranged for Messi and Suarez to play further up the pitch in Inter Miami’s 4-4-2 formation. New midfielder Tadeo Allende and returning young star Benjamin Cremaschi were also named in the starting lineup, alongside veteran goalkeeper Ustari, defender Jordi Alba and midfielder Sergio Busquets.

The home team Sporting San Miguelito played with more energy and determination in the first half, soon taking a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute through Ayarza. At the end of the first half, Inter Miami stepped up their attack under the leadership of Messi. The 37-year-old Argentine player played deeper in this match to create attacks and scoring opportunities for his teammates.

In the 45+1 minute, from a situation that generated an opportunity from the byline, Messi helped defender Marcelo Weigandt to make an assist for Cremaschi to score the 1-1 equalizer.

In the second half, Messi’s brilliant performance continued, accelerating with a series of beautiful attacking plays. Thanks to this, Inter Miami achieved a crushing position against their rival Sporting San Miguelito.

The Argentine legend continually made beautiful arrangements for Suarez and David Ruiz to have 2 assists for new players Allende and forward Fafa Picault to score in the 48th and 64th minutes to reverse the score to 3-1.

To complete the scoring, coach Mascherano took off Messi in the 77th minute and brought on 18-year-old Santiago Morales in his place. Suárez, Jordi Alba and Busquets played the entire match.

Following this match, Inter Miami has another away game against Olimpia Club in Honduras that will take place at 8 a.m. on February 9. The final match of the training camp, Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC at the Raymond James Stadium with a capacity of up to 75,000 spectators, will take place at 7:30 a.m. on February 15.

Inter Miami will play its first official match of the 2025 season against Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup first round at 8:00 a.m. on February 19. According to coach Mascherano, he expects Messi and his teammates to reach their best form and physical condition before playing their first official matches, and starting the 2025 MLS season with a home match against New York City FC at 2:30 a.m. on February 23.